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Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Choosing an Agent on Trulia Voices

I participate in an online real estate forum called Trulia Voices. On this forum, potential buyers and sellers can ask local real estate experts questions about buying or selling a home.

I find this is an excellent way to establish knowledge and services versus competing real estate agents. I am constantly reminding myself to pay attention like a laser to exactly what a potential customer is asking about and provide a concise answer, whether online or in person.

Contrary to what one of my colleagues says on this thread, there's absolutely nothing wrong with answering this question. Realtors can give opinions about neighborhoods if those opinions are not based on any federally protected class, such as marital status, race or national origin, sexual preference, etc.

My opinion happens to be that Lakewood Ranch is being subjected to suburban sprawl, increasing traffic congestion, and that many Lakewood Ranch areas have CDD fees on top of property taxes. Lakewood Ranch isn't near any beach.

Grand Palm and Ventura Village are new home communities in much-quieter Venice, that are close to the downtown Venice core, and just minutes to Venice Beach or Manasota Key beaches.

Fun fact: It's about the same amount of drive time to downtown St. Petersburg from Lakewood Ranch, as it is to the Siesta Key public beach. Check it out on Google Maps.

If you are looking to hire an agent to buy or sell a home in the Sarasota, FL, I encourage you to browse Trulia Voices and compare real estate agents.